JP2538085B2 - Package for liquids - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a package containing a liquid pesticide, that is, a package in which the pesticide is dissolved or dispersed in an organic liquid contained in an envelope of a water-soluble or hydratable substance. Including an empty space above.

Pesticides, such as herbicides, are often produced as concentrated solution trees or dispersants in organic liquids. Such pesticides are commonly supplied in metal or blow molded plastic containers by screw closure. In order to use pesticides, such as herbicides, a large amount of concentrated substance is weighed out of the container and mixed with a large amount of water prior to spraying on the place to be treated or on the plants. Such concentrated chemical solutions are usually very toxic and therefore have large amounts during measurement and mixing to avoid splashing liquid pesticides and to avoid contact of concentrated solutions or dispersants with humans or animals. Attention must be paid.

Efforts have been devoted to the design of the container to minimize the risk of accidental spills or splashes when the contents are used, and also to reduce the liquid residue that remains in the container after use. Plastic containers with wide necks were used to facilitate injection of the liquid contents. A blow molded plastic container having a hollow handle is made, where the hollow handle is separated from the body of the container to avoid retention of liquid in the handle.

Nevertheless, with this package, the contents are relatively spillable during the mixing process, creating the risk of environmental pollution and the risk of human-animal contact. Also, emptying containers is rare, and farmers and other users tend to leave partially filled containers. These represent an even greater danger. Even when all contents have been used, it is difficult to dispose of empty containers. Also, it is difficult to properly wash the container and the measuring instrument in which the concentrated solution or dispersant is handled. These devices present an additional danger to people and the environment.

It has also been proposed to package the agrochemical in a container with a threaded fitting adapted to be screwed into a corresponding fitting in the spray tank. The contents of the container are discharged only when there is a liquid tight seal between the tank and the container. Practical difficulties in ensuring the widespread use of such systems, taking into account the need to standardize the size of threaded fittings and the potential for leaks to occur if a liquid-tight seal is not achieved Exists.

Although it has been proposed to package solid chemicals in water-soluble containers, such containers are usually full and no special difficulties arise in production or use.

It has also been proposed to package chemicals in water-soluble containers that release the packaged chemical only after contact with water. Such proposals were not actually adopted for liquid chemicals due to the limitations of known aqueous containers. Such containers were liable to burst if they contained a significant amount of liquid. It has also proven difficult to avoid eyelets at the heat-sealed joint of the container and to avoid unacceptable weakness in the material of the container adjacent to the heat-sealed joint.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of known packages and provides a package that includes a non-aqueous solution concentrate and has one or more of the following advantageous features.

The packaged pesticide is released only after contact with water, in which case it dissolves or decomposes, minimizing the possibility of accidental contact of the undiluted substance with the environment or with humans or animals.

The pesticide is provided in a unit dose format suitable for dilution with a given amount of water, eliminating the need for measurement of undiluted chemicals.

The packaged pesticide is easy to use. Packaged pesticides are simply placed in water prior to use of the pesticide.

The need to clean pesticide residues from the container to secure disposal is eliminated. Containers that come in contact with the packaged pesticides are not contaminated and facilitate disposal.

Substantial volumes of liquid (1/4 liter or more) are packaged without substantial risk of leakage or package failure.

Accordingly, the present invention is a package comprising a shell containing 1/4 to 3 liters of a liquid that is a solution or dispersant of an insecticide or an insecticide in an organic liquid, the liquid increasing the viscosity of the liquid. Including an additive to
A package is provided which is insoluble and non-dispersible in a liquid and has a flexible wall made of a water-soluble or hydratable substance, the outer cover comprising a void above the liquid. .

The envelope containing the pesticide is partially filled so that the envelope contains voids and is typically 2-40% of the envelope volume.
Occupy, preferably 4-10%. Large empty spaces are used, but are commercially unattractive. Partial filling of the jacket reduces the risk of rupture of the jacket upon impact and reduces the risk of rupture or leakage in the event of elevated temperatures that cause the bag to swell or sweat.

The liquid volume is preferably 0.5-2 liters. 0.5 liter is particularly preferred.

Such a package avoids the above difficulties of the prior art. To use the package, an appropriate amount of water is metered into a tub, such as a nebulizer tank, and the jacket, e.g., a bag or medicine bag, is removed from the container, e.g., truncated, and The tank is thoroughly placed and mixed with the metered water. The contents of the envelope, for example,
The material from which the bag or bag is made is released when it dissolves or disperses in water with the pesticide. Thus, when mixed with large amounts of water, there is no possibility of spilling pesticide liquid due to the package being in a closed and sealed form. The splashes that occur during mixing are the splashes of diluted pesticides and, of course, even if splashes or spills occur,
Not very toxic to humans or dangerous to the environment.

Packaged pesticides include those that are potentially toxic or harmful to health or the environment. They include pesticides such as fungicides, insecticides or herbicides (hydroxybenzonitrile herbicides such as bromoxynil or ioxynil, or their derivatives such as salts or esters, such as heptanoates or octanoates), and more commonly, Compounds used to combat spills in industrial aqueous solutions include pesticides that are dissolved or dispersed in large amounts of water or aqueous solutions, such as metronidazole. Pesticides include, for example, pesticides added to ponds or running water. When the jacket material is polyvinyl alcohol alcohol borate, chlorides and chlorates should generally not be present in the packaged liquid in amounts that lead to deterioration of the jacket material, ie the material Must then be protected.

Suitable water-soluble or hydratable substances that are insoluble in the organic solvent used to dissolve or disperse the chemical include polyethylene oxide or methyl cellulose, but are preferably envelopes, such as sacks or sachets. Made from a polyvinyl alcohol film, i.e., a partially or completely alcoholized or hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate film, for example 40-99%, preferably 70-92% alcoholized or hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate film. To be done.

The polyvinyl alcohol film is non-oriented, uniaxially oriented, or biaxially oriented. Water-soluble substances are preferred.
The materials used are generally soluble in cold water. Polyvinyl alcohol soluble in cold water is preferred. It is understood that for other substances, the packaged liquid is used dissolved or dispersed in hot or hot water.

The maximum tensile strength of the jacket material is preferably at least 20 N / mm ² , more preferably 30-80 N / m 2.
m ² and the elongation at break is preferably 20
It is 0 to 380%, more preferably 220 to 350%. Inspection of these values is generally performed at 23 ° C. and 50% relative humidity. The thickness of the jacket material is preferably between 10 and 500 micrometers, more preferably between 20 and 100 micrometers. Combinations of these physical properties are particularly preferred.

The polyvinyl alcohol material is extruded as a tube and expanded or, more preferably, cast to orient it in two directions. When the cast membrane is used as desired, the tube is formed from the membrane and the edges are heat sealed along the length of the tube.
The tube is sealed at one end and filled with the desired amount of pesticide. The tube is resealed over the amount of pesticide to close the envelope and forms, for example, a closure bag or bag. The void is left over the liquid in the closed envelope, and further, the combined void and liquid volume is preferably less than the maximum possible volume of the envelope so that it flexes loosely filled.

When heat sealing is performed to form or close the envelope containing the liquid in the package according to the invention, the sealing temperature is generally 140-220 ° C, preferably 160-180 ° C.
Is. Jaw pressure is generally 1~3.5kg / cm ^2, preferably from 1.5~2.5kg / cm ^2. The dwell time is generally between 200 milliseconds (msec) and 1.5 seconds, preferably
It is 0 millisecond (msec) to 1 second. To ensure optimum processability, heat sealing is generally 15-25 ° C and 15-85%
Performed at relative humidity (RH). The relative humidity is preferably between 35 and 55%. Some routine experimentation is required to obtain a proper heat seal depending on the thickness of the jacket material, eg, the particular grade and PVA selected. The amount of seal is checked by visual inspection for opaque areas or bubbles, or checked, for example, by inflation of a bag without liquid contents. Defects in the seal result in a lack of water solubility or hydration of the seal. The heat sealing process is performed in a conventional heat sealing device and allows for control and variation of sealing jaw temperature, jaw pressure and dwell time.

In fact, the jacket according to the invention releases its contents within about 10 minutes. When the phytosanitary pesticide is packaged, the packaged pesticide is placed in the spray tank of a conventional sprayer. Tanks are generally partially filled with water and packaged pesticides are added. When the tank is provided with a means for stirring the water, the contents of the bag are discharged more quickly. Preferably, the release occurs within about 1 minute, for example, 30 to 40 seconds. It is understood that the time spent releasing the pesticide depends on a number of factors other than the nature of the bag, including water temperature and agitation level.

When the envelope is a bag or a sachet, the wall thickness must be kept to a minimum if the wall has adequate strength to facilitate rapid dissolution or dispersion in water.
Large sachets require thick walls, but a thickness of, for example, about 30 microns is particularly suitable. The thicker the wall,
Dissolution or dispersion of the wall material takes longer. It is understood that the envelope according to the invention comprises a wall region which is more easily dissolved or dispersed than the rest, in order to facilitate a faster release of the contents of the envelope.

Suitable organic liquid solvents are petroleum based solvents such as petroleum ether, mineral oil, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons such as hexane, octane, cyclohexane, benzene,
Xylene and naphthalene, halogenated aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons such as carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, methylene chloride and chlorobenzene, esters such as amyl acetate, ketones such as cyclohexane, ether or higher alcohols (lower alcohols are Through the water-soluble or hydratable material, which exudes the product to the outside of the mantle.) Mixtures of solvents, such as hydrocarbons and other solvents, such as ketones or higher alcohols, are also used. Organic liquids must be reasonably dry, and generally contain no more than 2-3% water, ensuring that they do not leak prematurely from the envelope.

The liquid content of the mantle is concentrated or thixotropic. The increase in viscosity in the contents reduces the likelihood of the envelope bursting when the package is subjected to a mechanical shock, especially when the envelope is provided with flexible walls. The contents of the mantle are made more viscous or thixotropic, for example, by the incorporation of modified organic compatibilizers or additives of bentonite, lecithin, polymethylene oxide or silica gel.

The concentrations of pesticides, such as herbicides, dissolved or dispersed in organic liquids are generally those conventionally used. But,
The concentration is increased to reduce the volume of each envelope. Each envelope preferably contains at least about 500 ml, and preferably contains a convenient standard volume, for example 500 ml or 1 liter, although any convenient standard volume of 1/4 to 3 liters is selected. Is recognized.

Preferably, the filled envelope is, for example, a co-pending application entitled "Package for Liquids", which comprises an outer container having a shock-absorbing base and an inner water-soluble or hydratable envelope containing the liquid. Packaged in an outer waterproof container to protect the envelope from water and premature dissolution, and also concentrated potentially toxic liquids, as described in more detail in And acts as a second barrier between personnel dealing with the environment. The outer container has the form of a container formed from a plastic material and comprises a reclosable and resealable lid containing two or more envelopes. Preferably, however, each jacket is individually packaged in a separate outer container. In this case, the outer container is preferably formed from a thermoplastic material that is injection or blow molded to form a container having a top, a substantially flat flange, sidewalls and a base. The filled envelope is placed inside the container and the foil lid is sealed on top of a substantially flat flange to provide a completely closed and sealed outer container. The lid is generally made from aluminum foil,
It is then heat sealed to the top flange of the container, but may also be made of plastic foil or a laminate of paper, plastic and / or aluminum.

The lid is preferably sealed to the top of the container, providing a good barrier to leakage when the envelope breaks. that is,
Preferably, a flap is provided which is larger than the top of the container and which is easily gripped to remove the lid.

A laminate lid is preferred, for example, a paper / aluminum / plastic laminate is used, where the plastic layer is heat sealed to the lid to provide a hermetic seal. The aluminum layer provides a barrier to small holes generated in the plastic layer. The paper provides strength and processability, and the label is printed or peeled. The plastic material is preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which provides a good barrier against possible leaks, has excellent heat sealing properties, allows easy removal of the lid before use, The lid is free of halogens that could potentially harm the environment when disposed of and is shock resistant. Other plastic materials, such as polyvinylidene chloride (PV
DC), polyvinyl alcohol, polypropylene or nylon are also used.

Preferably, the outside of the container is printed with information about the contents of the envelope, instructions for use, and warnings about the nature and toxicity of the chemical. This information is kept on the foil lid,
Alternatively, a label is attached to the side wall of the outer container.

The space between the jacket and the outer container is preferably at least about 5% of the volume of the container. The space is preferably about
Does not exceed 30%. Large space is used but not commercially attractive. 20-25% is preferred and about 25% is especially preferred. The space is preferably isolated from the atmosphere, for example by a hermetic seal in the outer container. The relative humidity in the space is preferably 45-70 at a temperature of 20 ° C.
% (More preferably 50-60%, most preferably about 50%).

When the envelope material is a PVA film, the mechanical properties of the film are affected by the moisture content. The moisture in the membrane is in equilibrium with the voids inside the envelope and in the space between the envelope and the outer container. The equilibrium point changes with temperature so that the membrane absorbs or releases moisture during storage. Relative humidity of 45-705% at 20 ° C was found to preserve the optimal shelf life of the envelope material. The package according to the preferred aspect of the present invention provides a robust package, allows for safe transport of concentrated pesticides and handling of potentially toxic pesticides with minimal risk to personnel and the environment.

The following example illustrates the production of a water soluble package according to the invention.

EXAMPLES PVA membranes were used to form bags containing liquid herbicide using the following procedure using conventional bag making equipment.

The PVA membrane used was SYNTANA Type KA cold water soluble PVA membrane, thickness was 40 micrometers and had a saponification degree of 88 mol%.

The liquid herbicide was a mixture of bromoxynil and ioxinyl esters in solution in naphthalene solvent. The liquid contained less than 3% water.

An open top bag was produced from a PVA membrane by forming a membrane around the shoulder and then heat sealing the bottom and sides of the bag simultaneously. A jaw pressure of ² kg / cm ² was used, having a jaw temperature of 160 ° C. and a dwell time of 1 second. The ambient temperature is 18
C and relative humidity was 35%.

500 ml of liquid herbicide is distributed in bags, the top of which is
It was sealed, leaving a 4-5% volume void in the bag. Each bag was 120mm vs. 205mm, producing 10 bags per minute.

Each filled bag was heat sealed at the top after liquid dispensing, leaving a vacancy of 4-5% of the bag volume, and the bags were approximately 80% liquid full. Because of this, the bag was incompletely filled and there was space above the liquid.

Each bag was then placed in a container as shown in the accompanying drawings. The container material was polypropylene. Each container was sealed using a laminate top containing PET (polyethylene terephthalate), aluminum and paper layers. The PET layer is heat sealed to the top flange of the container,
I left an empty space between the bag and the container. The relative humidity in the void was 50% at 20 ° C.

Yet another embodiment of the package according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a complete container.

 FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the outer container.

FIG. 3 is a view of a half of a longitudinal radial cross section of a complete package.

The package comprises an outer container 1 having a foil lid 2 surrounding and closing a jacket (bag or medicine bag) 3. The bag or bag 3 is made from a cold water soluble grade oriented polyvinyl alcohol film 4 made of 88% alcoholized polyvinyl acetate, has a wall thickness of 30 microns and 500 ml of the pesticide concentrate dispersant 5 in organic liquid. It is heat-sealed in the form of a medicine bag containing. The bladder 3 is housed inside the container 1 including a substantially flat top flange 6 connected to a tapered side wall 8 by an upper collar portion 7. The container 1 also includes legs 9 joined to the lowermost end of the side wall 8 by a shock absorbing section 10. The container has a substantially rectangular cross section,
There is a rounded corner between adjacent sides and an outwardly curved surface, as clearly shown in FIG. The rectangular shape of the container allows for relatively efficient packaging of a large number of containers.
The container is also tapered downwards as shown in FIG.
In this case 3-4 ° from vertical, so that multiple containers are nested together when empty for easy storage or disposal. Taper also means that the bag is supported by the container wall against downward movement. The container 1 is injection molded from block polymer polypropylene having a high melt flow index and generally has a constant wall thickness of, for example, substantially 1 millimeter. The container is made translucent so that a bag leak can be detected without opening the container, as described below. In an alternative embodiment,
Only the legs are translucent, which results in leakage. In addition, polypropylene is water repellent, which facilitates cleaning of the container. The material from which the container is made,
In this embodiment, polypropylene is sufficiently rigid to support and protect the bag, but has a degree of flexibility that helps absorb shocks or impacts on the package.

The shock absorbing section 10, as shown in FIG. 3, is corrugated with an S-shaped cross-section, and the length-to-thickness ratio of the cross-section is about 9: 1, which ratio is the material formed. Is delivered to allow the desired amount of deflection with respect to flexibility.

The corrugated section generally forms a transverse connection joining the lower edge of the side wall 8 to the upper edge of the leg 9,
It can flex as a result of the natural elasticity of the thermoplastic material, causing relative upward and downward movement between the legs 9 and the side walls 8. This deflection, for example, absorbs the shock load applied to the container if it is inadvertently dropped during transport or processing. During the transportation of the package, the outer package containing such an arrangement of packages may be dropped, or at least substantially, when transported, for example, by truck or when lifted or lowered, for example, by a forklift truck. Shock load. The shock-absorbing part formed between the leg and the side wall of the container bends, absorbs such shock load and partially cushions the load applied to the jacket,
And it ensures that the outer container does not crack under the application of such shock loads. Similarly, after the package is removed from the outer container and just before opening to access the envelope, the shock absorber absorbs the load if the package is inadvertently dropped onto a solid floor. Typically, if the package falls off the legs, the shock absorbing section absorbs any shock loads imposed on the container. Similarly, if the container falls off the side wall, the round nature of the side wall means that the side wall will deflect and absorb the impact load again. In addition, if the container lands on the top flange, it will tend to absorb the impact load and deflect.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, the legs 9 form a raised central section surrounded by troughs 11. The trough is
Provided for collecting liquid that accidentally leaks from the medicine bag before use. Because the container, or at least a portion thereof, is translucent, the user can visually inspect the legs and determine if the medicine bag has leaked before opening the container. Thus
Accidental contact with leaked contents is avoided. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the raised central portion of the leg leaves a space below it and forms a closed cavity when the container is erected on a shelf. This creates a problem because if the bag leaks into the container, vapor from the concentrate flows through the container material into the cavity where it is trapped and attacks the shelf or the coating on the shelf. Thus, to allow ventilation in this cavity,
The inside of the trough 11 is formed with at least one recess or groove (not shown) directed radially from the legs.

In this embodiment, the corrugated section 10 also provides an internal annular shoulder to the container where the medicine bag is located. The wavy curvature provides a smooth surface and does not distort or leak the drug bag. The medicine bag is thus supported on the bottom of the container and is further isolated from mechanical shock. Medicine bags also
It flexes in the void under stress and absorbs shock. The interior of the container is deliberately made smooth and allows the medicine bag to easily slide out of the container for use.

The medicine bag 3 is heat-sealed to the flange 6 of the container 1 or alternatively is held inside the container 1 by a foil lid 2 connected by an adhesive.

The foil lid portion 2 in this embodiment is made from a heat-sealable laminate material, such as polyethylene terephthalate / aluminum / paper laminate, and is larger than the outer diameter of the flange 6 and is a large flap used to tear the lid. Leave around the container.

The outer container 1 and the lid 2 provide protection for the medicine bag 3,
Thus, it protects the medicine bag 3 from contact with water and thus premature dissolution. It also provides an additional barrier layer around the concentrate 5 inside the bag or pouch 3
In the event of a rupture, it provides an additional barrier and prevents potentially harmful chemicals from coming into contact with personnel or the environment. However, to use the concentrate, the foil lid 2 is simply removed and the still sealed medicine bag is dropped into a nebulizer tank containing a predetermined amount of water. Bag or medicine bag material 4
Dissolves rapidly in water, so that mixing causes the contents to disperse throughout the water in the nebulizer tank. The outer container 1 is not contaminated with the pesticide concentrate and is therefore disposed of without any special care, and personnel handling the pesticide concentrate do not come into contact therewith, thus avoiding such potentially harmful substances. Reduce the disasters and hazards involved in handling.

Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Matsukashii, William Jiyeon UK Rm 10 7 etsx es estexs dergenham (no address) in May and Baker Limited (72) inventor Aldredd, Alan Geims United Kingdom RM 10 7 etsx es etsx dergenham (no address) in May and Baker Limited (72) Inventor Jyatskman, Anthony Douglas GU 22 8 UEL SALIY PAIA FOOD SOLA GARDENS 14 (56) Bibliography Sho 56-94754 (JP, U) British patent 922317 (GB, A)

Claims (19)

(57) [Claims] 1. A package having an outer casing containing 1/4 to 3 liters of liquid, which is a solution or dispersant of an insecticide or an insecticide in an organic liquid, the liquid increasing the viscosity of the liquid. An additive, wherein the envelope has a flexible wall that is insoluble and non-dispersible in the liquid and is made of a water-soluble or hydratable substance, and the envelope forms a gap above the liquid. A package characterized by including. 2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the void is 2 to 40% of the volume of the outer cover. 3. The package according to claim 2, wherein the void is 4 to 10% of the volume of the outer cover. 4. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the volume of the void and the liquid is smaller than the maximum possible volume of the envelope. 5. The package according to claim 1, which contains 0.5 to 2 liters of liquid. 6. The maximum tensile strength of the material of the jacket is at least 20 N / mm ² , and the elongation at break is 200-.
The package according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is 380%. 7. The maximum tensile strength of the material of the jacket is 30-80.
N / mm ² and elongation at break 220-350%
The package according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein 8. The package according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the jacket material is 10 to 500 μm. 9. The package according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the jacket material is 20 to 100 μm. 10. The coating material according to claim 1, wherein the coating material contains polyethylene oxide or methyl cellulose.
Item package. 11. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the jacket material contains polyvinyl alcohol. 12. A package according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the contents are released within about 10 minutes after contact with water. 13. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the content is released within about 1 minute. 14. An organic liquid comprising a petroleum-based solvent, a mineral oil, an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, a halogenated aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, an ester, a ketone, an ether, or a higher alcohol. Package of any one of. 15. A liquid content is a modified organic affinity agent, or bentonite, lecithin, for increasing viscosity.
A package according to any one of claims 1 to 14 comprising polymethylene oxide or silica gel. 16. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the insecticide comprises a compound which is potentially toxic or has a harmful effect on health or the environment. 17. A package according to any one of claims 1 to 16 which contains a fungicide, insecticide or herbicide. 18. A package according to any one of claims 1 to 17 which contains a hydroxybenzonitrile herbicide. 19. The package of claim 18 wherein the hydroxybenzonitrile herbicide comprises a mixture of ioxynyl and bromoxynil esters.